Anderson County: No more cash payments for after-school program

Tuesday

Sep 10, 2013 at 6:14 PM

In the wake of a state audit investigation, the Anderson County school system found a quick, easy way to prevent money paid as tuition for after-school programs from disappearing: quit accepting cash payments.

The Associated Press

CLINTON (AP) — In the wake of a state audit investigation, the Anderson County school system found a quick, easy way to prevent money paid as tuition for after-school programs from disappearing: quit accepting cash payments.

At least $280 in cash was discovered missing last October from a moneybag used at Grand Oaks Elementary to collect payments for the after-school program, according to the state comptroller office’s investigative audit findings.

No one was ever charged with taking the missing money.

The two employees who oversaw the program last October no longer work at the school, said James T. Woodward Sr., the school system’s chief financial officer.

The after-school programs are in place at seven schools and allow children to stay after classes while their parents or guardians are unable to pick them up. Woodward said the programs are an important service, particularly for working parents.

The programs are in place at Andersonville, Claxton, Fairview, Grand Oaks and Norris elementaries, as well as the Norwood Early Head Start program and a similar program at the Clinton Preschool.

Weekly fees vary depending on the child’s age and number of days in the program each week and range from $34 to $55.

The school system discovered the money was missing from Grand Oaks in late November and notified the state.

The subsequent state investigative audit found several shortfalls in how after-school program money was handled.

According to the state, there were delays in the deposit of collections, too many employees had access to the cash and there was no official receipting of collections.

In his response to the state findings, Anderson County Schools Director Larry Foster noted that no more cash payments will be accepted, fees can only be paid on two consecutive days each week, and official receipts have been put in place for the new school year.